Abstract

Sense of place definition includes the point where the physical form, activity and
meaning are intertwined in the people experience of a place. In urban design
and place quality research, much has been discussed on the influence of the
physical form and activity on the sense of place. However, the linkage between
these components with place meaning and attachment has not been adequately
explored, in particular on urban streets. This paper highlights the role of
activity in supporting attachment to shopping streets in the city centre of Kuala
Lumpur. Surveys and face-to-face interviews with users of Jalan Tunku Abdul
Rahman (JTAR), Jalan Masjid India (JMI), Jalan Petaling (JP) and Jalan Bukit
Bintang (JBB) were conducted to examine their perception of the streets’ activities
and its significance to their association with the places. The research
demonstrates that activity has strongly influenced place attachment as reflected
in the users’ identification of and dependence on the shopping streets. The
attachment is the result of constant and long term engagement with the activities,
mainly shopping, trading and socio-cultural interaction.